Jio aims to onboard 340 million new users onto its 4G/5G network. Its JioBharat feature phone, priced at Rs 1,499, is the cheapest 4G device available, but users cannot switch networks. Reliance sees a Rs 1.3 lakh crore opportunity in moving India's remaining 2G users to 4G.
How We Got Here
Jio launched its 4G-enabled JioBharat feature phone in 2023 for Rs 999, later increasing its price to Rs 1,499. The company previously offered a 10th-anniversary deal, bundling six months of recharge to bring the effective handset price down to Rs 299.
The Numbers
- Jio targets 240 million existing 2G users and projects 100 million new market entrants over the next five years.
- Pankaj Pawar, CEO of Jio Platforms, disclosed these figures during the company's Q2 FY27 earnings call on October 30.
- Jio previously described 2G users as "trapped" and "most exploited," paying Rs 180 for 2GB of data they rarely use.
- The smart feature phone offers 4G internet, UPI payments, music streaming, and video entertainment.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For small business owners and daily wage earners in Tier-2/3 cities, a locked-in JioBharat phone provides affordable 4G access, enabling digital payments and information access where options are limited.
The Take
Jio designed the locking mechanism as a core feature, a smart long-term strategy to build an unassailable user base. Other telcos now face an uphill battle to win over a massive chunk of the next-gen internet users.
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